As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I don’t know about you but I’m a huge fan of whipping up a quinoa salad for my clients. There’s just something about them that gets me every time.

I am not, however, a fan of quinoa soaked in oil and butter. Or with three cups of oil in it, like how they make it in some restaurants.

Last week I knew I wanted to develop a new recipe for a light quinoa salad but I wasn’t quite sure what it was going to end up looking like in the end. Originally I thought it might be savory but once I spotted some dried cranberries and lemon – it turned into a sweet lil’ dish. And I realized it was a much healthier quinoa dish than anything you’d get when eating out.

Hence, this quinoa salad was born.  It tastes like a creamy cranberry dessert in a bowl with a whole lotta protein. Yes, believe me. It does. A little less sweet than a dessert, making it the perfect vehicle for your lunchtime or evening munchies.

I guess I have a lil’ bit of a habit of creating salads… but what can I say?

They’re just so darn good.

And this one is by far another big ol’ winner in a bowl.

So, get your fork out and get your salad on, people.

O, and one more thing. This Caesar Dressing is going to ROCK YOUR WORLD.

Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
Serves: 4
 
Prep
Cook
Total
 
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan
Author: Amie
Recipe type: Entree

Ingredients

Salad

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup cashews
  • 1/8 cup pine nuts
  • 2 tsp. white miso paste
  • 1/4 tsp. agave nectar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon zest
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook quinoa according to directions.
  2. Meanwhile, combine all dressing ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Add more water, if necessary.
  3. In a large serving bowl, combine cooked quinoa, dried cranberries, scallions and mixed greens; gently toss with Caesar dressing to coat.
  4. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 271 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 228mg10%
Potassium 380mg11%
Carbohydrates 40g13%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 380IU8%
Vitamin C 15.3mg19%
Calcium 38mg4%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

 

Amie's
#1 Best-Selling Cookbook

Over 200 vegetarian recipes free of gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, eggs, peanuts, corn and other inflammatory foods.

Order Your Copy
Previous Post G.A.P.S. Diet...
Next Post Festive Holiday "Cheese Ball"...
  • Share

15 comments

  1. Hi! Just stumbled on your blog and I love it. God bless you for educating people on how to eat (truly) healthy. I am allergic to cashews and pine nuts could I use Raw peanut butter and how mush do I use??
    Thank you

  2. 5 stars
    Amie, I made this dressing tonight and it was fabulous…so unique for my dairy-free palate :-). I added it to a finely chopped baby kale salmon salad with cucumbers, roasted almonds, kalamata olives, red peppers, artichokes, shallots. It was delicious. The olives may have clashed a bit. Thank you for posting!

    1. SO happy to hear that Nicole; yea! Have a wonderful night and thank you so much. So glad you had a lovely dinner! I always LOVE hearing from my readers when they make my recipes; thank you for sharing!

  3. looks amazing! I know we would all love this in my house! The calories are a lot though! Is there a way to tone down the calories? Joan

  4. I’d like to try this – but I’m on a low carb vegetarian diet. I’ll have to figure out the nutritional data first.

    1. Thanks Cyndy; so nice to hear from you. All the nutritional information is at the bottom of each recipe. Let me know if you don’t see it and I can send it to you directly. Have a great night!